GB2556112A

GB2556112A - Improvements in fluid sampling probes

Info

Publication number: GB2556112A
Application number: GB1619690.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Ralph Swan Julian; Mark Hester Adrian; Spencer Jaynes Candy Matthew
Original assignee: Imagination Factory Ltd
Current assignee: Imagination Factory Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-22
Filing date: 2016-11-22
Publication date: 2018-05-23
Also published as: GB201619690D0

Abstract

A fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a container, the fluid sampling probe comprising: an elongate member 2 incorporating a closed channel 3, the closed channel comprising an inlet 5 and outlet 6, the outlet being configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid sampling device; and, an access tip 4 at one end of said elongate member for gaining access to the inside of the container, configured to support the inlet within the inside of the container. In use, the fluid sampling probe is configured such that the fluid sampling device draws fluid from the inside of the container through the closed channel. The probe may be used to detect stowaways in heavy good vehicles (HGVs) through carbon dioxide sampling. A method of sampling a fluid within a container is also provided, comprising: inserting an access tip of a fluid sampling probe into a container; activating a sampling sensor in fluid communication with the fluid sampling probe; taking a reading of fluid concentration through the sampling sensor; and, comparing the reading of fluid concentration to a predetermined level.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Improvements in fluid sampling probes

Abstract Title: A fluid sampling probe for accessing the inside of a container (57) A fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a container, the fluid sampling probe comprising: an elongate member 2 incorporating a closed channel 3, the closed channel comprising an inlet 5 and outlet 6, the outlet being configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid sampling device; and, an access tip 4 at one end of said elongate member for gaining access to the inside of the container, configured to support the inlet within the inside of the container. In use, the fluid sampling probe is configured such that the fluid sampling device draws fluid from the inside of the container through the closed channel. The probe may be used to detect stowaways in heavy good vehicles (HGVs) through carbon dioxide sampling. A method of sampling a fluid within a container is also provided, comprising: inserting an access tip of a fluid sampling probe into a container; activating a sampling sensor in fluid communication with the fluid sampling probe; taking a reading of fluid concentration through the sampling sensor; and, comparing the reading of fluid concentration to a predetermined level.

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Improvements in Fluid Sampling Probes

This invention pertains generally to the field of fluid sampling probes, and in particular probes for sampling carbon dioxide gas within a sealed, confined space.

There are a number of situations where the presence or concentration of a particular fluid needs to be detected or sampled within a hard to reach environment. One example of such a situation is when detecting carbon dioxide gas within vehicles, shipping containers and other similar transportation structures, to indicate the presence of lifeform within said structures. There is a real issue at the borders of countries, stopping the entry' of persons that are stowing away inside vehicles such as Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), in a bid to avoid having to go through any immigration channels that a particular country' may have in place. For organisations involved in cross border shipments, stowaways can present an increasingly costly problem. Aside from the serious security concerns, carriers can often become liable for heavy fines, plus the additional costs associated with the persons temporarily residing in the entry country. Such costs might include food and housing, healthcare and supervision, and any legal representation and repatriation costs.

It is therefore preferable to detect the presence of persons stowing inside these vehicles at the point of departure and therefore by border control personnel. It is well known that the presence of these stowaway persons within these vehicles or shipping containers will elevate the typical levels of carbon dioxide gas that are expected to be present in such an environment. Ambient atmospheric carbon dioxide is typically in the range of 300ppm (parts per million) to 400ppm, although may be as high as 650ppm under certain environmental conditions. Sampling the environment within such an environment to determine the level of carbon dioxide that is present therein, can provide the border control personnel with a quick indication that such an environment may also contain respiring humans.

Currently Border Force personnel use carbon dioxide sensors as an indication of people stowed away inside vehicles. The current method to gain access to such soft sided vehicles, is by using a modified ski pole to insert a sensing probe at the tip of the ski pole, inside the vehicle. Some of these devices incorporate a pump that extracts an air sample through the probe assembly. The fundamental principle of measuring carbon dioxide to indicate the presence of human beings within a vehicle is sound, and has been demonstrated effectively in curtain sided vehicles, with the probe devices being designed to gain access through a wide range of different rubber seals, without compromising integrity of cargo or container. However, there are some fundamental difficulties in measuring the environment within the various hard sided vehicles. Within the range of hard sided vehicles, it is not a one size fits all problem; roller doors offer different challenges to refrigerated containers for an example.

Border control companies based at border entry points and cargo loading bays have a requirement to scan, search and detect persons as fast as possible, since in such a situation time means money. The ease of access and detection is therefore paramount when it comes to saving time, particularly at very busy borders. It is also thought that where technology is deployed to help with detecting persons at certain borders, this may act as a deterrent to said persons in the first place.

There is a need to provide a means of gaining access to the interior environment of hard sided vehicles and containers, and to do so in a time efficient and therefore costeffective manner, circumventing a wide variety of types of seal without compromising any cargo or damaging the seal. There is also a need for a means of reducing the likelihood of obtaining false positive readings within such an environment. In addition to sensing carbon dioxide gas for the indication of persons stowing away in sealed containers, this system may be used to sample other fluids: such as toxic chemicals or volatile liquids for Health & Safety purposes prior to opening a container and inspection; narcotics or other contraband; explosives or other materials.

The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address these needs in various ways.

GB 2,405,513 (Grant) discloses a means of detecting personnel within vehicles, comprising a remote condition sensing system that is permanently associated and affixed to a specific vehicle, that relays a change in condition to a cab of the vehicle. Whilst not compromising any sealing means of the container to gain access to the container, this does not provide a means for use by border control personnel to use on all vehicles.

GB 2,390,462 (Marriott) discloses a vehicle intruder detector using a carbon dioxide sensor. The detector is configured to be mounted to the exterior of a vehicle, and comprises a fan for drawing air via a duct to the carbon dioxide detector. The duct must be present on a vehicle to allow air to be drawn from the interior of the vehicle. It would therefore need to be installed on all vehicles to make this device useable by border control personnel.

Whilst the prior art appears to address the issue of fluid detection within a container without the need to open the container, or cause damage to any of the sealing means about the openings of said container, they do not provide a means of gaining access to all containers without specialist provisions being permanently installed within the container itself, such as access ports or hard wired sensing means.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a means of accessing a variety of different containers and cargo vessels, without compromising any sealing means that surround an access port to said containers, that allow for rapid, convenient fluid sampling of a fluid within said containers, from outside the containers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a container, tire fluid sampling probe comprising: A fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a container, the fluid sampling probe comprising: an elongate member incorporating at least one closed channel, said at least one closed channel comprising an inlet and an outlet, whereby the outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid sampling device; an access tip at one end of said elongate member for gaining access to the inside of the container, configured to support the inlet within the inside of the container; whereby, in use, the fluid sampling probe is configured such that the fluid sampling device draws fluid from the inside of the container through the at least one closed channel.

Preferably, the closed channel may comprise a cross-sectional area that is configured to correspond to a sensor flow rate of the fluid sampling device.

The closed channel may comprise a height that is less than 3millimeters. The closed channel may comprise a length that is between 50millimeters and 185millimeters. The closed channel may comprise a width that is less than 30millimeters.

The access tip may comprise an access tip edge that is less than lmillimeter.

The access tip may incorporate a radius of between 2millimeters and lOmillimeters.

Preferably, the access tip may comprise a gladius shape.

The outlet may comprise a sampling tube.

The outlet may comprise a fastening means for releasably securing the fluid sampling probe to the sampling tube.

The sampling tube may incorporate a fluid conditioning means.

The fluid conditioning means may comprise one or more of the following: at least one filter, water trap, gas scrubber.

The elongate member and the closed channel may comprise stainless steel.

The elongate member and the access tip may comprise one piece.

The access tip may incorporate a low friction coating.

Preferably, the fluid sampling probe may comprise a handle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid sampling device incorporating the fluid sampling probe as hereinbefore described.

Preferably, the fluid sampling probe may incorporate at least one fluid sampling sensor within the closed channel, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to a display means.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sampling a fluid within a container, comprising the steps of: inserting an access tip of a fluid sampling probe into the container; activating a sampling sensor in fluid communication with the fluid sampling probe; taking a reading of fluid concentration through the sampling sensor; and, comparing the reading of fluid concentration to a predetermined level.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of fluid sampling probe in isometric view, showing the fluid sampling probe fluidly connected to a sampling tube;

Figure 2 shows the fluid sampling probe of Figure 1 in plan view;

Figure 3 shows the fluid sampling probe of Figure 1 in underside view;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the fluid sampling probe of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an end view of the fluid sampling probe showing one embodiment of closed channel cross-sectional area; and.

Figure 6 shows the other end view of the fluid sampling probe showing one embodiment of outlet of the closed channel.

In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows the fluid sampling probe 1 comprising an elongate member 2 that incorporates a closed channel 3. The closed channel 3 comprises at least one inlet 5 and at least one outlet 6. The elongate member 2 comprises an access tip 4 for gaining access to a container and a handle 7 to aid the manipulation of the probe past any sealing means that may be present at an entryway to the container. The closed channel 3 is in fluid communication with the sampling tube 9 through outlet 6, which is connected to the sampling tube 9 by fastening means 11 ensuring a sealed sampling path to a sensing means. The sampling tube 9 may comprise one or more fluid conditioning means 12 that are inline within said sampling tube 9 to the fluid sampling connector 11. The fluid conditioning means 11 ensures contaminants and/or particulates not wishing to be sensed are extracted from the fluid prior to the fluid passing through to the fluid sensing means, for example dust, moisture or other detritus. The fluid conditioning means 11 may comprise one or more fdters,

The elongate member 2 may comprise anti-crush ribs within the closed channel 3 which increase the stiffness of the elongate member 2 without increasing the thickness of the closed channel 3. Stiffness could also be achieved through formations in the crosssection of the closed channel 3, such as corrugations or ridges.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the fluid sampling probe 1. This shows the access tip edge 8 which has been configured to aid low force insertion below the seal at the entryway to the container. The access tip edge 8 mimics the shape of a Roman Gladius sword tip. This Gladius shape is also known as a drop point blade and comprises a convex curve of the back towards the point. The tip edge 8 may also comprise a pointed, radiused tip, a blunt ended tip or a similar shaped configuration that assists with gaining access to the container. The fluid sampling connector 10 enables the easy removal of the fluid sampling sensing means from the fluid sampling probe 1. This could be replaced and the sensor could be directly attached to the sampling tube 9. The inlet 5 has a radiused or rolled edge to further protect the seal from damage on insertion and extraction.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the fluid sampling probe 1. This shows the elongate member 2 comprising a flat surface substantially over its entire length to aid the insertion of the fluid sampling probe 1 through the seal. The access tip 4 may comprise a coating that is of low friction to allow the access tip 4 to slide through the seal of the container. The low friction coating may also be applied to at least a part of the elongate member 2 and closed channel 3.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the fluid sampling probe 1. This shows a typical required length of the sampling probe 1 required for bypassing the range of seals between 50-185 millimetres along the length of the closed channel 3. The closed channel 3 thickness must be no larger than 3.0 millimetres to ensure easy access past all seal types. The crosssectional area of the closed channel 3 is such that it does not restrict the flow to the fluid sampling sensor.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section through the elongate member 2 that has a maximum thickness of no larger than 3.0mm. This ensures the elongate member 2 can slide underneath seals without incurring damage. This embodiment includes a plurality of anticrush ribs within the closed section to protect the closed channel 3 from collapse from the high forces encountered when inserting the elongate member 2 through the seal. This may also be achieved through changes in cross-sectional profile in the surface of the elongate member 2.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section through the outlet 6. In this embodiment the outlet 6 is formed into a right angle elbow enabling the sampling tube 9 to be routed out of the handle 7. In another embodiment the sampling tube 9 could be incorporated into the handle

7. In addition to this the fluid sensing system could be integrated within the fluid sampling probe 1, for example in the handle.

In this embodiment the closed channel 3 is formed through a folding of the upper surface of the elongate member 2 and a welded edge with the flat lower surface. Another embodiment could achieve the closed channel through an extruded cross-section for the elongate member 2. Another embodiment could be achieved through the use of a separate tube arrangement encapsulated in the elongate member 2. Another embodiment could be achieved through the use of sintered material with a solid skin in the elongate member 2.

In this embodiment the fastening means 11 releasably securing the sampling tubes 9 to the outlet 6, fluid conditioner 12 and fluid sampling connector 10 comprises a jubilee clip. This enables easy servicing and replacement of parts. Another embodiment could be achieved by the use of cable ties as the fastening means 11. Another embodiment could be achieved by the use of tube crimps as the fastening means 11. Another embodiment could be achieved by the use of push-fit fittings as the fastening means 11.

To operate the fluid sampling probe 1, a user would insert the access tip 4 of the fluid sampling probe 1 through the entryway of the container, and through any sealing means that may be present at said entryway. The fluid sampling probe 1 must be inserted by a sufficient amount such that the inlet 5 of the closed channel 3 of the elongate member 2 is wholly within the interior of the container. Once in position, and whilst being held in this position through use of the handle 7 or otherwise, the user is able to engage a fluid sampling means to draw fluid from the interior of the container. This means of drawing fluid may be by a pump. The inlet 5 being in fluid communication with the outlet 6, that is operatively connected to the fluid sensing means, allows for the fluid sensing means to take a reading of the fluid within the container. The fluid sensing means may comprise an alert means to indicate when the sample of fluid is of a concentration or predetermined value.

The fluid sampling means may compare the value of a sample to predetermined data to evaluate the sample and provide an output value to indicate to the user whether that value is astray from that which is to be expected.

Claims

1. A fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a container, the fluid sampling probe comprising:

an elongate member incorporating at least one closed channel, said at least one closed channel comprising an inlet and an outlet, whereby the outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid sampling device; and, an access tip at one end of said elongate member for gaining access to the inside of the container, configured to support the inlet within the inside of the container;

whereby, in use, the fluid sampling probe is configured such that the fluid sampling device draws fluid from the inside of the container through the at least one closed channel.

2. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 1, wherein the closed channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is configured to correspond to a sensor flow rate of the fluid sampling device.

3. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 2, whereby the closed channel comprises a height that is less than 3 millimeters.

4. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 2, whereby the closed channel comprises a length that is between 50 millimeters and 185 millimeters.

5. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 2, whereby the closed channel comprises a width that is less than 30 millimeters.

6. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access tip comprises an access tip edge that is less than 1 millimeter.

7. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access tip incorporates a radius of between 2 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

8. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access tip comprises a gladius shape.

9. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet comprises a sampling tube.

10. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet comprises a fastening means for releasably securing the fluid sampling probe to the sampling tube.

11. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the sampling tube incorporates a fluid conditioning means.

12. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 11, wherein the fluid conditioning means comprises one or more of the following: at least one filter, water trap, gas scrubber.

13. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the elongate member and the closed channel comprises stainless steel.

14. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the elongate member and the access tip comprise one piece.

15. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the access tip incorporates a low friction coating.

16. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid sampling probe comprises a handle.

17. A fluid sampling device incorporating the fluid sampling probe of Claims 1 to 16.

30

18. A fluid sampling device according to Claim 18, wherein the fluid sampling probe incorporates at least one fluid sampling sensor within the closed channel, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to a display means.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1619690.9 Examiner: Mr Hitesh Kerai

17. A fluid sampling probe as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A fluid sampling device incorporating the fluid sampling probe of Claims 1 to 16.

19. A fluid sampling device according to Claim 18, wherein the fluid sampling probe incorporates at least one fluid sampling sensor within the closed channel, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to a display means.

20. A method of sampling a fluid within a container, comprising the steps of:

inserting an access tip of a fluid sampling probe into the container;

activating a sampling sensor in fluid communication with the fluid sampling probe;

taking a reading of fluid concentration through the sampling sensor; and, comparing the reading of fluid concentration to a predetermined level.

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:

23 08 17

1. A fluid sampling probe for gaining access to the inside of a cargo vessel, the fluid sampling probe comprising:

whereby the access tip is configured to aid insertion below a seal at the entryway to the container without causing damage to said seal, whereby, in use, the fluid sampling device draws fluid from the inside of the container through the at least one closed channel of the fluid sampling probe.

20 3. A fluid sampling probe according to Claim 2, whereby the closed channel comprises a height that is less than or equal to 3 millimeters.

6. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

30 access tip comprises an access tip edge that is less than 1 millimeter.

5 10. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet comprises a fastening means for releasably securing the fluid sampling probe to the sampling tube.

11. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the

10 sampling tube incorporates a fluid conditioning means.

23 08 17

14. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the 20 elongate member and the access tip comprise one piece.

25 16. A fluid sampling probe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid sampling probe comprises a handle.